It
less than 24 hours, the 2014-15 NBA Playoffs, one of the most anticipated in
many years will begin and there is no shortage of storylines. The No. 1 Seeds
in the East and West are trying to complete their historic seasons with a
title. The defending NBA champions are trying to replicate what there in state
rivals accomplished 20 years ago. The newest NBA sensation makes his playoff
debut. There will be April basketball in New York. A four-time MVP is trying to
win his city’s first pro sports title in over five decades and one of the best
lead guards in the game is trying to get himself and his team to a place where
they have never been. Here is the 2014-15 NBA Playoff preview.
Eastern
Conference
(1)
Atlanta
Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets
(60-22) (38-44)
-Season
series: Hawks won 4-0
It
has been a long time since the ATL’s basketball team has been in the
conversation as a team that can win it all.
Thanks
to a franchise record 60-win season, winning their first division crown since
1993-94 capturing the Central Division, where their head coach Mike Budenholzer
is in the running for coach of the year and that they had four All-Stars this
season in Kyle Korver (12.1 ppg, 48.7 FG%, 49.2 3-Pt.%), Jeff Teague (15.9 ppg,
7.0 apg, 1.7 spg) Paul Millsap (16.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and Al Horford (15.2 ppg,
7.2 rpg) and a team-first philosophy as they became the first team since the
2004-05 then Charlotte Bobcats to not have a player score 30 points or more in
any game this season. That Bobcats team though won just 18 games.
The
Hawks hope to make their eighth consecutive appearance in the postseason a good
one as it begins against the Brooklyn Nets, who they defeated all four times
this season.
The
Hawks, who finished 7-8 down the stretch of this season have some concerns
entering the playoffs.
For
starters they will be without their best perimeter defender in swingman Thabo
Sefolosha as he and his teammate forward Pero Antic were arrested in New York
last week during a crazy incident in a night spot which left Sefolosha with a
leg injury that will keep him out of the playoffs.
That
will put more pressure on the likes of DeMarre Carroll (12.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 39.5
3-Pt.%) and Kent Bazemore and to keep contain the Nets’ starting guards Joe
Johnson (14.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 35.9 3-Pt.%) and Deron Williams (13.0 ppg, 6.6
apg).
Speaking
of the Nets, the only reason that they are even in the playoffs to begin with
is that the Indiana Pacers fell on Wednesday night at the Memphis Grizzlies
95-83 to give the Nets the last playoff spot. They went just 6-4 in their
remaining 10 games.
If
the Nets have any chance of pulling the upset, they need starting center Brook
Lopez (17.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.8 bpg) to be great. Prior to the All-Star break,
Lopez was averaging just 15.7 points and 6.2 boards as the Nets were 17-25.
Since then Lopez has averaged 19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds on 52.5 percent
shooting and the Nets went 17-13. Lopez outplays Horford, the Nets can make
this a series.
The
Nets also needs the aforementioned starting backcourt of Williams and Johnson
to play to their All-Star potential. If they shot 43.5 percent and 38.7 percent
respectably from the floor like they did during the regular season, the Nets
will go home very quickly.
Another
key in this series who amongst the supporting cast for each team will rise to
the forefront. Will it be Thaddeus Young (13.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Jarrett Jack
(12.0 ppg, 4.7 apg); Bogan Bogdanovic (9.0 ppg, 35.5 3-Pt.%), Mason Plumlee
(8.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Alan Anderson (7.4 ppg, 34.8 3-Pt.%) for the Nets or will
it be Carroll (12.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg,39.5 3-Pt.%), Dennis Schroder (10.0 ppg, 4.1
apg), Mike Scott (7.8 ppg) and Antic (5.7 ppg).
Last
season the Hawks were the No. 8 Seed and took the Pacers to the limit before
falling in seven games. Now being on the opposite side, they will follow the
formula of a collective effort and making the extra pass to lead them past this
round and beyond.
-Prediction:
Hawks in five.
(4)
Toronto Raptors vs. (5) Washington Wizards
(49-33) (46-36)
-Season
series: Raptors won 3-0
Historically,
the No. 4 Seed versus the No. 5 Seed in the postseason matches up two teams
regardless of conference as two teams that are evenly matched.
This
matchup features two teams that made stellar seasons for the first time in a
while and made the playoffs.
They
both came into this season with expectations and both early on met them
combining for a 46-15 record through Dec. 29, 2014.
Both
teams went south after that as the Raptors and Wizards went 25-26 and 24-28
respectably since that date.
Both
teams lost their starting two guards as All-Star DeMar DeRozan (20.1 ppg, 4.6
rpg) of the Raptors and Bradley Beal (15.3 ppg, 40.9 3-Pt.%) for 22 and 19
games respectably because of injuries.
The
starting frontcourts for both of these teams in Marcin Gortat (12.2 ppg, 8.7
rpg), Nene (11.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Paul Pierce (11.9 ppg, 44.7 fg%, 38.9
3-Pt.%) of the Wizards and Amir Johnson (9.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Jonas Valanciunas
(12.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and Terrence Ross (9.8 ppg, 37.2 3-Pt.%) have been
inconsistent and that is being kind.
The
one player in this series that will be a major factor in dictating the outcome
is Wizards floor general John Wall (17.6 ppg-lead team, 10.0 apg-2nd
NBA, 1.7 spg-leads team), who lead all guards with 40 double-doubles.
The
Raptors lead guard Kyle Lowry will have the task of slowing down the Wizards’
two-time All-Star, but the Raptors will need Lowry (17.8 ppg, 7.8 apg) to get
back to the form that made him the starting lead guard at the All-Star Game
back in February.
Before
the All-Star break, Lowry was rolling averaging 18.6 points, 7.2 assists and
the Raptors were 36-17. After the midseason classic, he has averaged just 15.2
points and 5.4 assists and the team has gone just 7-10. On top of all of that,
he was dealing with a back issue along with other nagging injuries that forced
him to miss time.
One
big X-Factor that the Raptors have in their favor is Sixth Man of the Year
candidate Lou Williams, the team’s third leading scorer at 15.5 points per
game.
He
along with back-up guard Greivis Vasquez (9.5 ppg, 3.7 apg, 37.9 3-Pt.%),
Patrick Patterson (8.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg 37.1 3-Pt.%), James Johnson (7.9 ppg, 3.7
rpg) and Tyler Hansbrough bring a grit, spark and attitude off the pine that
might be a too much for the Wizards reserves of Kris Humphries (8.0 ppg, 6.5
rpg), Ramon Sessions (7.4 ppg), Otto Porter, Jr. (6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Drew
Gooden to handle.
On
top of that, the Raptors are an outstanding three-point shooting team, topping
their franchise mark from last season with 713 connections from distance with
726. The Raptors were 24-7 this season when they made at least 10
three-pointers and they are the only team this season to have five players in
Williams (152), Ross (145), Vasquez (133), Lowry (132) and Patterson with (104)
with 100 trifectas made or more.
This
series features two teams that record wise had one their best seasons in many
years. The Raptors going another season without winning 50 games, won their second
straight Atlantic Division title and won a franchise record 49 games. They are
trying to win their first playoff series since 2001 when Vince Carter lead the
team to a first round win over the New York Knicks 3-2. They lost in the
Semifinals to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers and
league MVP Allen Iverson in seven games.
The
46 wins by the Wizards are the most since the 1978-79 season, where they won 54
games, where they made it all the way to the NBA Finals and fell to the then
Seattle Supersonics in five games.
This
season has just left many expecting more from these two teams and the loser of
this series faces some likely changes this summer. It is likely that Wizards’
head coach Randy Wittman or Raptors head coach Dwane Casey could be gone if
their team cannot advance.
-Prediction:
Raptors in seven games.
(2)
Cleveland
Cavaliers vs. (7) Boston Celtics
(53-29) (40-42)
-Season
series: Tied 2-2
When
Akron’s favorite son and four-time MVP LeBron James (25.3 ppg-3rd
NBA, 6.0 rpg, 7.4 apg) returned to the Cavaliers and they acquired Kevin Love
this past summer, the Cavaliers and first-year head coach David Blatt went from
a team rebuilding to one that was expected to contend for a title.
The
honeymoon ended in the blink of an eye as the team was 19-20 when the New Year
rolled around. On top of that, the team’s physical force in the paint Anderson
Varejao sustained a season-ending injury early and the frontcourt became very
thin.
When
the team acquired Timofey Mozgov (10.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg) from the Denver Nuggets
and J.R. Smith (12.7 ppg39.0 3-Pt.%) and Iman Shumpert (7.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) from
the New York Knicks back in January, the Cavs took off going 34-9 to close the
season.
Prior
the acquisition of Mosgov, the Cavs were just 19-17 with +0.9 point
differential; shooting just 34.5 percent from three-point range; averaging 41.1
rebounds per game and just 12.0 second chance points. With Mozgov starting in
the middle, the Cavs went 34-12 with a +7.3 point differential; shooting 38.0
percent from the three-point arc; averaging 44.5 rebounds per contest and 13.3
second chance points.
Along
with James, the Cavs are going to go as far as the play of Love (16.4 ppg, 9.7
rpg, 36.7 3-Pt.%) and Kyrie Irving (21.7 ppg, 46.8 FG%, 41.5 3-Pt.%).
While
they are playoff infants, they are expected alongside James to rise to the
moment and deliver. Love has to play to the level where teams have to game plan
for him. At times this season he has been confused about his role as just a
three-point shooter. It is up to him and coach Blatt to make sure Love is
involved at the offensive end, especially in the paint.
The
Cavs opposition, the Celtics have proven this season you can be in rebuilding
mode and win basketball games.
Since
Feb, 2 only the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State
Warriors and the aforementioned Cavs have won more games than the Celtics who
have gone 24-12 in that stretch.
When
this team traded their two best players Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green to the
Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies respectably earlier this season, many
thought the Celtics chances of making the playoffs were just a dream.
Sixth
Man of the Year candidate in guard Isaiah Thomas, who the Celtics acquired from
the Suns and has averaged 19.0 points per game made it a reality.
Since
the trade of Jeff Green, the Celtics have gone 27-19, averaging 100.4 points,
23.9 assists per contest and 17.3 points off of turnovers.
Defensively
since Feb. 2, they have limited 14 teams to 94 points or less and they have
proven they can stand tall when the game is close as they have won 11 games by
six points or less, which consists of four wins at the buzzer.
This
nucleus of Thomas, Avery Bradley (13.9 ppg, 35.2 3-Pt.%), Brandon Bass (10.6
ppg, 4.9 rpg), Jared Sullinger (13.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Kelly Olynyk (10.3 ppg, 4.7
rpg, 34.9 3-Pt.%), Tyler Zeller (10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Evan Turner (9.5 ppg, 5.1
rpg, 5.5 apg), Jae Crowder, rookie Marcus Smart (7.8 ppg, 3.1 apg) and Jonas
Jerebko (7.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 40.6 3-Pt.%) are showing under second-year head
coach Brad Stevens that the future is bright in “Bean Town.”
With
that being said, this series is all about the Cavs. They have the star power.
The fire power and all the motivation in the world to deliver the first
professional sports title to the city Cleveland in a little over five decades.
-Prediction:
Cavs in four.
(3)
Chicago
Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
(50-32) (41-41)
-Season
series: Bulls won 3-1
When
this season began, many had the Chicago Bulls, not the Cavs as the team to beat
in the East and maybe even the whole league.
The
return of Derrick Rose from injury. The addition of Pau Gasol to a front line
that consisted of last year’s Defensive Player of the Year in Joakim Noah (7.2
ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.5 apg), Taj Gibson and rookies Nikola Mirotic (10.2 ppg, 4.9
rpg) and Doug McDermott. They also added Aaron Brooks in the backcourt to go
alongside swingman Mike Dunleavy, Kirk Hinrich and Jimmy Butler.
The
season went like the past three have for the Bulls. The likes of Rose, Butler,
Gibson, Dunleavy and McDermott combined to miss 164 games because of
injury.
The
big one was Rose, who had missed just about the last two seasons because of
serious knee injuries, which stems from the 2012 playoff opener against the
Philadelphia 76ers.
The
difference this season from the last two under head coach Tom Thibodeau is
having Gasol (18.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg-4th NBA, 1.9 bpg-led team) who had
a league leading 54 double-doubles this season; the career season of Butler
(20.0 ppg-led team, 5.8 rpg, 1.8 spg-led team, 46.2 FG%, 37.8 3-Pt.%) and the
strong play of Brooks (11.6 ppg, 38.7 3-Pt.%), who averaged 15.5 and 12.4
points in the months of March and April respectably and Mirotic, who averaged
20.8 points and 7.6 rebounds in March.
If
not for the historic seasons by the Warriors and Hawks, Bucks’ first-year head
coach and future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd would be hands down coach of the
year.
Last
year, the Bucks were 15-67 and allowed 103.7 points per game. This season, the
finished at .500 and while they scored an average of just 97.8 points per
contest, they allowed just 97.4.
They
started the season 30-23, doubling their win total from a season ago. They
unfortunately lost forward Jabari Parker, the No. 2 overall pick in this past
summer’s draft to a torn ACL he sustained back on Dec. 15, 2014 at the Phoenix
Suns.
At
the trade deadline, the Bucks traded then starting lead guard and borderline
All-Star Brandon Knight to the Phoenix Suns in three-team trade and acquired
from the Sixers guard Michael Carter-Williams (14.1 ppg 5.6 apg, 2.0 spg). The
team also acquired forward/center Miles Plumlee and guard Tyler Ennis.
While
the team went 11-18 after the trade, they did show flashes of what the future
can be, especially in their only win against the Bulls this season.
In
the Bucks 95-91 win versus their Central Division rivals, Carter-Williams had
21 points and 10 rebounds on 9 for 14 shooting.
The
Bucks defense in that contest held the Bulls to just 41.9 percent shooting, had
11 steals and forced 18 turnovers, which they converted into 15 points. The
Bucks also out-rebounded the Bulls 48-40, including 20-12 on the offensive
glass.
Like
the Celtics, the Bucks future is very solid with Parker, Carter-Williams,
Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Ersan Ilyasova (11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg
47.2 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%), O.J. Mayo (11.4 ppg 35.7 3-Pt.%), Khris Middleton (13.4
ppg, 46.7 FG%, 40.7 3-Pt.%), who is a free agent at season’s end, ZaZa Pachulia
(8.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and John Henson (7.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 bpg-led team).
With
that being said, the Bulls are one a mission to finally get to The Finals. This
is the best team Rose has had around him in his career and it is now or never
for the Bulls to get over the hump and win a title.
-Prediction:
Bulls in four.
Western
Conference
(1)
Golden
State Warriors vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans
(67-15) (45-37)
-Season
series: Warriors won 3-1
When
the Warriors went on a franchise record 16-game winning streak from Nov. 13,
2014 to Dec. 14, 2014, the question was are they under rookie head coach and
five-time champion Steve Kerr the real deal. They answered with a high pitched
shout it to the roof top yes!
They
became the 10th team in NBA history to win 67 games in a regular
season. They won their first Pacific Division title in 39 seasons. They won a
franchise record 39 games out of 41 tries at Oracle Arena and a franchise
record 28 games on the road.
All-Star
guard Stephen Curry (23.8 ppg-leads team 7.7 apg-leads team 2.0 spg-4th
NBA), who made an NBA record 286 three-pointers in the regular season is the
likely MVP. Draymond Green (11.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg-leads team, 3.7 apg, 1.6 spg) is
in the running for Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
Fellow “Splash Brother” Klay Thompson (21.7 ppg, 46.3 FG%, 43.9 3-Pt.%) has
been out of this world. Marreese Speights (10.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Harrison
Barnes (10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg 48.2 FG%, 40.5 3-Pt.%) are having career years. Starting center Andrew Bogut (6.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg) has been a solid presence in the paint and the
bench of the aforementioned Speights, David Lee (7.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg), Shaun
Livingston, Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa have been magnificent.
They
became the sixth team in NBA history to finish in the top three in offensive
rating and defensive rating in the regular season.
The
task now, win 16 more games and capture their first NBA title since 1975.
That
journey begins against the New Orleans Pelicans, making their first playoff
appearance since 2011.
They
are led by the sensational former No. 1 overall pick and two-time All-Star
Anthony Davis (24.4 ppg-4th NBA, 10.2 rpg-leads team, 2.9 bpg-leads
NBA), who along with DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings and LaMarcus
Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers are the only players to average 20
points and 10 rebounds this season.
The
22-year-old Davis was at his absolute best this past Wednesday night versus the
defending champion Spurs with a game-high 31 points to go along with 13
rebounds and three blocks in leading the Pelicans to a 108-103 win to clinch
the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the West. It was the second straight win by
the Pelicans and their sixth in nine tries in the month of April.
A
big reason why they are in the postseason and the Oklahoma City Thunder are not
is despite having the same identical records, the Pelicans won the season
series over the Thunder 3-1 and Davis got them their third victory, a 116-113
thriller in Oklahoma City with a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer on
Feb. 6.
While
Davis may be the headline of this series, if the Pelicans are going to compete
against the favored Warriors, they will need the supporting cast of Tyreke
Evans (16.6 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.3 rpg), Eric Gordon (13.4 ppg, 44.8 3-Pt.%), Ryan
Anderson (13.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 34.0 3-Pt.%), Jrue Holiday (14.8 ppg, 6.9 apg, 1.6
spg-leads team), Quincy Pondexter (9.0 ppg, 43.3 3-Pt.%), Omer Asik (7.3 ppg,
9.8 rpg) and Norris Cole (9.9 ppg, 37.8 3-Pt.%) to play well.
-Prediction:
Warriors in five.
(4)
Portland
Trail Blazers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies
(51-31) (55-27)
-Season
series: Grizzlies won 4-0.
The
playoffs are very often a war of attrition.
The
matchup between the Northwest Division champion Trail Blazers and the Grizzlies
represents two literally and figuratively limping into the postseason.
The
Grizzlies, who will have home court advantage virtue of having a better record
have two key members of their team hobbled entering the playoffs.
Starting
guard Mike Conley (15.8 ppg, 5.4 apg, 44.6 FG%) has missed the final four games
of the regular season because of a sprained right foot and defensive perimeter
ace Tony Allen has been down the last nine games because of pulled left
hamstring. All-Star starting center Marc Gasol (17.4 ppg-leads teams, 7.8 rpg,
3.8 apg, 1.6 bpg-leads team) with a left ankle sprain earlier in the week, but
showed up and was great to the tune of a career-high 33 points and 13 rebounds
in the Grizzlies 95-83 win versus the Pacers this past Wednesday night.
The
Trail Blazers have been dealing with injury issues of their own over the past few months.
Back-up
center Chris Kaman (8.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) has been dealing with pain in his lower
back. Starting small forward Nicholas Batum (9.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.8 apg) bruised
his right knee on Monday in the Trail Blazers 101-91 at the Thunder, missing
their season finale, a 114-98 loss at the Dallas Mavericks. Reserve guard C.J.
McCollum (6.8 ppg, 39.6 3-Pt.%) has been dealing with a sprained left ankle.
Guard Arron Afflalo (10.6 ppg, 40.0 3-Pt.%) strained his right shoulder back on
Apr. 9 at the Warriors and has missed the last four games. Starting shooting
guard Wesley Matthews was lost for the rest of the season back on Mar. 5 versus
the Mavericks when he tore his left Achilles that required surgery and backup
forward Dorell Wright is on the mend because of fractured right hand. Even
All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been on the mend with a sore foot and he
has been playing for much of this season with a torn ligament in his left thumb.
To
put what the Trail Blazers are going through in perspective, a season ago, head
coach Terry Stotts had to use only two different starting lineups. This season,
he had to patch together 20 different starting quintets.
In
looking at the optics of this series we have the Trail Blazers built around offense
led by Aldridge (23.4 ppg-leads team, 10.2 rpg) and Damian Lillard (21.0 ppg,
6.2 apg, 4.5 rpg) and eighth best three-point shooting team in terms of
percentage at 36.2; sixth in makes from distance at 9.8 and third in attempts
at 27.2. They are ninth in the league in scoring at 102.8 points per contest.
Along
with Aldridge and Lillard, the Trail Blazers will need more from the remaining
healthy bodies in starting center Robin Lopez (9.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Meyers
Leonard (5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 42.0 3-Pt.%), backup guard Steve Blake and center
Joel Freeland.
The
meat and potatoes of the Grizzlies is on the defensive end and scoring in the
paint.
Only
the Utah Jazz allowed the fewest points per contest than the Grizzlies at 95.1
per game. They were ranked 10th in opponent’s field goal percentage
at 44.2. They were tied for sixth in steals per game at 8.5 and were tied for
ninth in forced turnovers per game at 14.6.
On
the offensive end, everything begins and ends with Gasol and Zach Randolph (16.1
ppg, 10.5 rpg-7th NBA, 48.7 FG%).
One
big weakness the Grizzlies have is their ability to strike a match from the
perimeter. For them to win this series and beyond, Vince Carter, Jeff Green
(13.1 ppg, 36.2 3-Pt.%), Courtney Lee (10.1 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 40.2 3-Pt.%) and
Beno Udrih (7.7 ppg, 48.7 FG%) are going to have to make some jump shots to
keep the Trail Blazers defense honest and not just sink down in the paint and
be a bother to Gasol and Randolph.
The
Grizzlies will also need to stay even on the glass as the Trail Blazers are 10th
in the league in rebound differential at a +1.3, while they are 13th
at a +0.2.
-Prediction:
Grizzlies in six.
(2)
Houston Rockets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks
(56-26) (50-32)
-Season
series: Rockets won 3-1
Twenty
years ago, the Houston Rockets led by Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde
Drexler as the No. 6 Seed made a remarkable run to their second straight title.
The hope is that history will repeat itself in the 2015 playoffs lead by MVP
candidate James Harden and center Dwight Howard.
Harden
(27.4 ppg-2nd NBA, 7.0 apg-leads team, 5.7 rpg 1.9 spg-T-5th
NBA, 37.5 3-Pt.%), who lead the Rockets to the Southwest Division title, their
first since winning the Midwest Division in 1993-94 had the best season of his
career leading the league in points scored (2,717), free throws made (715) and
attempted at (824). He was third in total steals at 154 and fourth in
three-pointer made at 208. He also had 35 games of 30 points or more and the
Rockets won 30 of those games.
Harden’s
great season despite Howard (15.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg-leads team) missing close to
six weeks because of pain and swelling in his right knee and starting forward
Terrence Jones (11.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 bpg, 35.1 3-Pt.%) missed 49 games
because of nerve injury in his leg.
With
starting lead guard Patrick Beverly (10.1 ppg, 35.6 3-Pt.%) and reserve
forward/center Donatas Motiejunas (12.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 36.8 3-Pt.%) out for the
playoffs with wrist and back surgeries respectably, that means more
responsibility to Harden, who shot just 37.6 percent and 39.1 percent in
Rockets first round setbacks to the Trail Blazers and the Thunder the last two
postseasons.
Can
Howard return to the form that he was at in last season’s playoffs, where he
averaged 26.0 points, 13.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in the six-game setback versus
the Trail Blazers?
The Rockets will also need Josh Smith (12.0
ppg, 6.0 rpg), Jason Terry, Corey Brewer (11.9 ppg), Trevor Ariza (12.8 ppg,
5.6 rpg, 1.9 spg, 35.0 3-Pt.%) and Pablo Prigioni to play well.
Last
season, the Dallas Mavericks put a scare into the eventual champion Spurs in
round one before they were sent home in Game 7.
The
signing of Chandler Parsons (15.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 46.2 FG%, 38.0 3-Pt.%), who has
been on the shelf the last six games because of right knee soreness away from
the Rockets this summer and the acquisition of Rajon Rondo from the Celtics in
December 2014 was supposed to put the Mavericks in the thick of things in the
West.
Since
being 19-7 before Rondo was acquired, the Mavs have gone 31-24 with him and
have been out of rhythm more often than not on both ends. Without Beverly to be
a major pest, Rondo should dominate versus Terry and Prigioni.
They
need more than anything for Parsons, It is hard to fathom talking about the
Mavericks and future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki (17.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 45.9 FG%,
38.0 3-Pt.%) and Monta Ellis (18.9 ppg-leads team, 1.9 spg-leads team) are not
at the head of the conversation.
If
the Mavs plan on advancing though, those two will have to bring it. They will
also need major contributions from center Tyson Chandler (10.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg-5th
NBA), guards Devin Harris (8.8 ppg, 35.7 3-Pt.%), J.J. Barea (7.5 ppg) and
Amar’e Stoudemire (10.8 ppg).
In
the playoffs, it is the little things that can make a big difference in winning
and losing. One small aspect that might tell the tale of this series is at the
free throw line.
The
Mavericks rank 16th in the league shooting at 75.2 percent, while
the Rockets, who attempt the second most in the league at 26.0 per game, but
are 27th in percentage at 71.5 percent. The reason that is an issue
is that Howard and Smith shoot 52.8 and 49.8 percent respectably from the
charity stripe and there have been times this season that teams have gone to
fouling them to put them at the line to slow the moment of the Rockets down and
get back into the game. The Mavs have a bad foul shooter as well in Rondo, who
shoots 41.7 percent.
This
series has it all. To teams from the same state. Parsons trying to stick it to
his former team. An All-Star in Harden trying to prove he can be the guy to
lead his team to the promise land. Nowitzki trying to make one more
championship run with a prior champion in Rondo by his side. Two of the best
offenses in the game.
-Prediction:
Rockets in six.
(3)
Los
Angeles Clippers vs. (6) San Antonio Spurs
(56-26) (55-27)
-Season
series: Tied 2-2
NBA
on TNT analyst Kenny Smith said something about the NBA that has stuck with me
for a long time. He said something of the fact that the regular season you make
your name. In the playoffs, you make your fame.
One
team in this series has made their name in the regular season and their fame in
the postseason and the other has made their name in the regular season, but has
yet to make their fame in the playoffs.
The
Spurs have made a great name for themselves in the regular season winning 50
games or more for 15 straight seasons. The trio of Tim Duncan (13.9 ppg, 9.1
rpg-leads team, 2.0 bpg-leads team), Manu Ginobili (10.5 ppg, 4.2 apg, 34.5
3-Pt.%) and Tony Parker (14.4 ppg 4.9 apg, 48.6 FG%) have lead the Spurs to
four of their five NBA titles and head coach Gregg Popovich has been on the
sidelines for all five of the Spurs triumphs.
The
future Hall of Fame trio of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili has won 117 postseason
games, the most all-time in NBA history.
This
season has been different in a lot of ways. One way is that the team has had to
deal with a lot of injuries to key players like Parker and Ginobili as well as
center Tiago Splitter (8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Patty Mills (6.9 ppg) and last
season’s Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard (16.5 ppg-leads team, 7.2 rpg, 2.3 spg-leads
NBA).
When
Leonard has been available for the Spurs they were 46-18. In the 18 games he
missed because of a hand injury, they were just 9-9.
After
having a losing record on their annual Texas Rodeo Trip, the Spurs won 23 of
their final 27 games, which included an 11-game winning streak that ended at
the aforementioned Pelicans this past Wednesday.
Their
opponents in the opening round the Clippers are making their fourth straight
postseason appearance, thanks to tying the second best record in team history
and their third consecutive 50-plus win season.
Since
the acquisition of lead guard Chris Paul (19.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg-leads NBA, 1.9
spg-5th NBA) the Clippers have not gotten passed the Semifinals in
two tries. In Paul’s postseason career, he has played well individually with 29
double-doubles and averages of 20.6 points, 9.7 assists and 2.3 steals on 47.8
percent from the field, but he is just 22-31 in his career with the then New
Orleans Hornets and the Clippers
In
their last matchup with the Spurs in the Semis in 2012, they were swept 4-0,
which also dropped Paul two 0-2 versus the Spurs in the postseason.
The
teams split their four meetings in the regular season. In their last meeting on
Feb. 19, the Clippers won 119-115 behind 20 points and 16 assists from Paul.
The Clippers other All-Star forward Blake Griffin (21.9 ppg-leads team, 7.6
rpg, 8.5 apg) missed the game recovering from an infection in his elbow.
Since
his return on Mar. 15 the Clippers have won 14 out of 16 games and look every
bit like this postseason will be different. If the Clippers are going to
advance, they need Griffin to be a dominant presence in the paint.
One
other reason why this postseason might be different is the play of Defensive
Player of the Year candidate DeAndre Jordan (11.5 ppg, 15.0 rpg-lead NBA, 2.2
bpg-4th NBA, 71.0 FG%-led NBA), who on 12 occasions this year had
over 20 rebounds in a game and the Clippers were 8-4 in those contest.
In
a matchup between to very solid teams that are at the top of their game
entering the postseason, it comes down who can win the games within the game.
For
instance, will Jordan be able to knock down free throws if the Spurs go to the
hack-a-Jordan strategy. In the aforementioned matchup between these two teams
back in February, Jordan attempted 28 free throws and made just 10. If the
Clippers do not want this to happen, Jordan must shoot better than 39.7
percent, which he did from the charity stripe.
If
the Clippers want to beat the defending champs, they cannot get rattled. They
have to be able to play through tough calls by the officials.
Last
but not least, the supporting cast of the Clippers not named J.J. Redick (16.4
ppg, 47.7 FG%, 43.7 3-Pt.%) and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jamal Crawford
(15.8 ppg), who missed 17 games late in the season because of a calf injury
must be a factor. The Clippers need big time contributions from the likes of
Glen Davis, Spencer Hawes (5.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Matt Barnes (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg,
36.2 3-Pt.%), Austin Rivers (7.1 ppg) and Hedo Turkoglu.
A
matchup like this on the best of terms happens in the Conference Finals. One of
these teams will see their season end in disappointment.
-Prediction:
Spurs in seven.
Information
and statistics are courtesy of 4/16/15 6 p.m. NBATV’s “The Starters” NBA
Playoff Preview with Trey Kerby, J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas and Leigh Ellis; 4/16/15
7 p.m. Eastern Conference Playoff Preview on NBATV with Matt Winer, Dennis
Scott and Mike Fratello; 4/16/15 8 p.m. Western Conference Playoff Preview on
NBATV with Vince Cellini, Steve Smith and Mike Fratello; www.nba.com/playoffs; www.espn.go.com/nba/teams/statistics;
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers.
